Display stand



March 25, 1930. A. M. 'BORLAND. JR

DISPLAY STAND Filed Feb. 23, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Inventor M726 he For/01 4i:

. I I 9 y @4509 I Atiorngy March 25, 1930. A. M. BORLAND. JR

DISPLAY STAND Filed Feb. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A tiorney Patented Mar. as, was

ARCHIE M. B RL ND,- JR., or ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA DISPLAY s'rAND Application filed February 23,1929. Seria1 N0. 341,997.

This invention relates broadly to an improved display stand and it has more particular reference-to a stand which has been especially developed for supportin and openly displaying bananas, but adapta le for displaying other commoditiesif desired.

In carrying out the invention; I have evolved and produced a novel structural organization which is characterized by compactness and convenience in arrangement of elements, the arrangement being such as to provide a structure which is eflicient in performance and capable of fulfilling the requirements of a structure of this class in a highly satisfactory manner.

- Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings. 2

In the drawings: o Figure 1 is a perspective View of'the complete stand set up for use.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the lower portion of the structure.

Figure 3 is a top plan View with thefruit supporting baskets removed.

Figure 4 is a bottom. plan fragmentary View showing the cross-brace structure.

In carrying out the invention I provide a conical base 5, having a rolled reinforced bottom ring or head "6. Rigidly. fastened to this on the interior is a cross brace structure 7 comprising intersecting brace arms 8, I

and 9. Attached to the intersecting portions of the arms is an upstanding socket 10, whose upper end 'extendsthrough and beyond the truncated ape portion of the base. This is adapted for removable rotatable telescopic reception of a coupling pipell, and an anti friction ball 12 is interposed between the,

socket and the coupling pipe. The coupling pipe is connected with a collar 18 that extends up and into the-lower end portion of. the hexagonal standard 14. The collar is 4 fastened firmly to the standard. 'On the exterior of the standard at this point is an outstanding ring 16, carryinga depending annular shield 17 g which conceals the upper truncated end of the base and theprojecting 7 upper end of the socket. lOn thestandard at'verticallyspaced points, and arranged in turn-next to the standard, andone end is.

the fruit.

' forma pocket. This relieves any one banana circumferentially spaced relation are keeper brackets 18. r f The upper end-portion of the standard, is split longitudinally to provide a plurality of fingers 19 and these are bent outwardly and laterally upward and terminate in curved I extremities or hooks 20. 1

The fingers are so arranged as to provide an open work receptacle 21 for reception of a flower pot. The reference characters 22 designate the fruitholders. These are in'the form of wire baskets of substantially saucershaped configuration. Connected to each basket is a supporting arm 23 formed from strip metal whose inner end is bent to pro vide an attaching hook 24, detachablyconnected with the keeper. Some of the armsars short and others are long. jThe basketsare arranged'in sets of two and. four, thereby v disposing them in staggered relation to pre vent unobstructed view of the contents of the fruit holders or baskets.

A more definite understanding of the de tailed features will be had, by considering the following: f i The flare is cut from the eight sides ofthe standard, flared to a circumference of eighteen inches, three inches high, with" one'inch pointed and curled around to make a'smooth finish.

' The slots for thearms are preferably constructed of metal and of a size to hold the o 1 arm tight in the standard. Theslots are arranged inlongitudinally spaced alternate. ing groups of two and four to each groupand the groups of two are mounted on diiferent'; points on the peripheral face of'thestandard to balance the weight thereon.v

The arms in they first set of two r half turn next to the standard and one inch 9 is bentdown to fit in" the slot. 3 v p Thel'second set, composed of four arms, I numbering froinlthefiztredown, takea half bent down to fit 'in" the slot. Just enough spring is developledin these arms to absorb all shock'or ar that might be carried out to The fruit holders are looped-around toj 'ing base.

from carrying the weight of the whole hand of fruit. The rods in each fruit holder are welded firmly at both sides where the rods meet. The fruit holders are all sloped down, just enough to expose the clean under surface of the hand of bananas.

The base is substantially conical and has its lower edge rolled to give it additional strength. The standard turns on hollow steel pipe shaft. The shaft extends up into the standard to keep the standard from swaying, and extends down in the lower pipe and fits snug to give the standard a smooth turnhis leaves a clearance between the standard and the steel pipe cylinder. This space is necessary to allow the standard to turn. The hollow steel pipe shaft is welded to the baseof the standard and has a plate welded on the lower end to formthe upper half of the ball bearing box. The ball bearing is centered and nested into the upper and lower steel plates and forms a smooth turning mechanism.

The two crossed lower braces are welded tothe bottom of the steel pipe cylinder. The ends of the braces rest on the roll on the bottom of the base and are welded firmly.

- The two inch slope at the ends of the braces raise the whole-turning mechanism off the floor. By welding the steel pipe cylinder to the top of the cone, the weight is all carried the cone and not carried by the braces. Thisprevents any centering of the weight by distributing it throughout the cone, preventing the whole from rocking or sagging.

The hollow steel pipe forming the cylinder or socket holding the shaft is fourteen inches long with a steel )late welded to the bottom to form the lower half of the bearing'box. The hollow pipe extendsabove the top of the cone.

A bandis welded to the base of the standard, and extends down to cover the connect ing mechanism. The band flares enough to clear the top of the cone.

v There are no nuts, screws, or bolts to contend with. in setting up or taking down the banana tree. The fruit holders detach from the'standard by lifting them out of the slots and the standard is detached from the base by simply lifting it up and out.

Bananas are sold largeiy thru appeal.

Therefore it is the mechants advantage to have the fruit displayed in a conspicuous place in his storeat all times.

The stand is not difficult to move. When empty, it can be picked up and carried around or it can be taken down and set up in two minutes, making it possible for the'merchant to build his banana display where the trade is inclined to congregate in the store. This will lead to more sales, quicker turn overs, and larger profits for him.

Grocers everywhere have long realized the advantage of selling bananas by the hand,

but the chief objection to that has been when hands are cut off and placed on display counters, the weight of the bananas crush the fruit immediately underneath. These turn black and must be sold at a loss or thrown away. The saucer shaped holders on the banana tree do away with this loss, as they are so constructed that the hand of the bananas fit snugly into them and slide partly thru, distributing the weight of the fruit throughout the entire hand.

The base of the banana tree is light of weight'yet so constructed that it bears all the weight placedupon it, without developing any sag or spring.

The fruit holders are made of light strong wire with enough space between the wires to allow the fruit to slip partly through, distributing the weight over and through the entire hand of bananas. The holders are shaped like a pair of cupped human hands, preventing the fruit from breaking at the base of the hand and made large enough so that there is no shedding of overripe fruit. The holders are bent forward and down to expose the clean under surface of the ba nanas.

It is believed that by considering the description in connection with the drawings, a clear understanding of the construction and operation of the invention will be had.

Therefore a more lengthy description is regarded unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resortedto, in actual practice if desired.

I claim: I V 1. In a structure of the class described, a truncated conical base, a vertical socket supported in said base, and having its upper end extended through the truncated apex portion thereof, an article supporting standard having a coupling member extended below the lower end thereof and fitting telescopically and rotatably into said socket.

. 2. In a display stand of the class described, a truncated conical supporting base having an internal bracing spider, a vertically disposed socket connected with the intersecting portion of the spider members and having its upper end extending through and beyond the truncated, apex portion of the base, a standard, a pipe coupling member fitted into the lower end of the standard and extended below the lower end and fitting rotatably and removably into said socket. an annular shield mounted on the lower end of the standard and embracing the apex portion of the base the upper end portion of the socket.

3. In a display stand of the class described a truncated conical supporting base having an internal bracing spider, a vertically disposed socket connected with the intersecting portion of the spider members and having its upper endextending through and beyond the reinovably into said socket, an annular shield truncated apex portion of the base, a standard, a pipe coupling member fitted into the r lower end of the standard and extended below the lower end and fitting rotatably and removably into said socket, an annular shield mounted on the lower end of the standard and embracing the apex portion of the base and the upper end portionof the socket, said standard being of hexagonal cross section and provided at vertically spaced points with substantially U-shaped keepers.

4. In a display stand of the class described, a truncated conical supporting base having an internal bracing spider, a vertically disposed socket-connected with the intermediate portion of the spider members and having its upper end extending through and beyond the truncated apex portion of the base, a standard, a pipe coupling member fitted into the lower end of the standard and extended below the lower end and fitting rotatably and mounted on the lower end of the standard and embracing the apex portion of the base and the upper end portion of the socket, said standard being of hexagonal cross section and provided at vertically spaced points with substantially U-shaped keepers, the upper endsof said standards being split longitudinally to provide a plurality of fingers, said fingers being bent into right angular form and terminating in finishing hooks to provide a receptacle for reception of a flower pot.

5. In a display stand of the class described, a truncated conical supporting base having an internal bracing spider, a vertically disposed socket connected with the intermediate portion of the spider members and having its upper end extending through and beyond the truncated apex portion of the base, a standard, a pipe coupling member fitted into the lower end of the standard and extended below the lower end and fitting rotatably and reinovably into said socket, an annular shield mounted on the lower end of the standard and embracing the apex portion of the base and the upper end portion of the socket, said standard being of hexagonal cross section and 7 provided at vertically spaced points with substantially U-shaped keepers, the upper ends of said standards being split longitudinally to provide a plurality of fingers, said fingers being bent into right angular form and terminating in finishing hooks to provide a receptacle for reception of a flower pot, a plu rality of individual fruit baskets provided with attaching arms, said attaching arms having their inner ends bent'to form connect;

ing hooks, said hooks being detachably connected with said keepers. p

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

ARCHIE'M. BORLAND, JR. 7 

